Inayat Bunglawala, assistant secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain and the public relations person for jihad in the UK, issues veiled threats against Britain like a Mafia extortionist: It’s undeniable: British foreign policy is endangering all of us. (Hat tip: LGF readers.)

This should not be misinterpreted as an apologia for terrorism. It cannot be said enough that there can never be any justification for the deliberate killing of civilians. HOWEVER, the Government needs to acknowledge that extremist groups have taken advantage of Britain’s role in the wars against Afghanistan and Iraq and Washington’s longstanding blind support for Israel as an opportunity to recruit more Muslims into their ranks.

Poll after poll has shown that large majorities in the Muslim world believe that British and American foreign policy is hostile towards them and that the West regards the spilling of Muslim blood as being of little importance.

Are such views really a caricature of the truth? By refusing to support calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Lebanon conflict, Tony Blair appeared to be giving a nod and a wink to the Israelis that they had more time to accomplish their military goals.

There may be ministers who genuinely believe that the price to be paid for our policies overseas is worth it — but they should not insult the public’s intelligence by saying that they have had no impact on the terror threat that Britain is facing. The presumption now must be that al-Qaeda-inspired groups will keep on targeting Britain.